Learning to be an aerialist is proving to be one my hardest challenges to date. For the past few weeks I’ve been up in Edmonton taking training from FireFly Theatre. I took several aerial classes from them years ago in 2008 when they were using space in a gymnastic studio and boy is their new studio space amazing!!

The classes have been a huge challenge for me both mentally and physically but thankfully all the teachers are spectacular and the energy there is really positive and uplifting. If I’m struggling with a move there is undoubtably always someone there to cheer me on. Everyone in each class is so supportive of each other and I’m sad to already be half way through the 6 week courses. I don’t really know what my plans are with aerial or if I’ll ever feel that I’m good enough to perform. I’m trying to live by my own advice and “love the process”; to focus on enjoying the experience of this new challenge without placing expectations on my progress.

If you ever get the desire to tone up and turn upside down, go see FireFly and sign up for some classes!

In October I provided roving and stage trade show entertainment for the Calgary Tattoo Festival. Here’s more photos from my show at this year’s Calgary Tattoo Festival. These images were captured by Elizabeth Joyal. In addition to fires shows I also provided roving stilt walking and roving hula hooping to help entertain guests on the trade show floor. My favorite was definitely the roving hula hooping as I was able to perform for people who were actually getting tattooed. Many of them were very thankful and smiled at the opportunity to enjoy a fun distraction from the physical feeling of being tattooed.

Trade Show Entertainment at the Calgary Tattoo Festival

Had a great time this Saturday providing Halloween party entertainment in Edmonton. The guests were all dressed up and excited to enjoy a night of dancing, music and entertainment. I provided roving stilt walking as guests arrived, a comedy show before dinner and roving contact juggling after dinner. For more information about our Halloween shows and characters be sure to also check out Safire’s performance video from Fright Nights in Vancouver.

Trick or Treat?

Safire’s Comedy LED Hoop Show

This year I’ll be performing at Screamfest in Calgary held on the Stampede grounds. The event includes haunted houses, spooky characters, unique and crazy entertainment. Fellow performers that will be doing shows all month include Ryan Stock and AmberLynn of Insane Entertainment. This duo performed on the Discovery Channel’s Guinea Pig and have been entertaining audiences all around the world with their sideshow performances. Shows will be Fridays and Saturday every weekend of October and the 26th to the 31st as well!

I was in Vegas last week to attend Photoshop World, an annual photography and Photoshop conference. It was an absolute blast!! I used to teach darkroom photography, digital photography and graphic design to high school students and I’ve missed that part of my life tremendously. Attending Photoshop World was a gift to myself to help rekindle my visual arts spirit. The entire event was filled with excellent workshops from the world’s best instructors, hilarious geeky inside jokes and other attendees that felt like long-time friends instantly. I made lots of friends, learned so many things, was inspired and am excited to go back again next year.

My new friend Sharon wrote a blog about the event and joined another fellow photographer and myself for an LED and fire photo shoot. Check out some of her photos and blog at Hell Ziggy.

More photos coming soon!

Las Vegas Fire Dancing

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting some incredible people at the Gateway Alliance Church while providing church service entertainment. Thank you so much for having me, it was an amazing morning. The kids were super fun, and the entire event was really high energy! Safire and the team provided a range of carnival themed entertainment including a fire show, roving jugglers, roving stilt walkers, balloon artists and circus workshops for the kids!

Cirque Entertainment – Contact Juggler

We provided a fun and upbeat fire show for Enmax’s annual stampede entertainment party. the event brings together staff for a night of fun filled activities. The event also included fortune tellers, caricature artists, tasty snacks and a live band. Andrew Bolton captured some great photos of the event and even captured a few shots of the fire show. Here are my favourite photos that he captured! Yes… I know, I look like I’m about to take off in the Triple Fire Hooping photo. ; )

Howdy Cow poke! The Calgary Stampede has officially started up and we’re all revved up for the party! Cowgirl themed Clowns, Hula Hoopers, Stilt Walkers, Southern Bells and more! Bring in some variety artists for your Pancake Breakfast Entertainment!